PNG's chief secretary to government is being sued for defamation

Papua New Guinea's chief secretary to government, Manasupe Zurenuoc, who was recently knighted, is being sued for defamation.

Joseph Klapat took the action after Sir Manasupe placed advertisements advising service providers that Mr Klapat was no longer the secretary of the department of community development and any commitments made by him would not be honored by the state.

Mr Klapat claims the advertisement has defamed him and contravened government processes for removing senior public servants.

Mr Klapat says Sir Manasupe, as the top civil servant should take due care in dealing with administrative issues, particularly those concerning tenure.